Thursday, November 11, 2010

Payback Time! Your Chance to Critique Me

So, like some of you, I also entered the November Secret Agent contest over at Authoress's blog. I've read through half the entries so far and have already recognized a couple of stories from the queries posted here :o). I didn't crit the ones I recognized as I agree with most of the other commenters, and you've already heard (probably too much!) from me.

Since the Secret Agent has already been by mine, I thought it only fair I'd let you know it's entry #11. It's the first 250 words of the larger sample of Sector C posted elsewhere on this site, so nothing new if you've already read those first two short chapters. Only, you know, you get to crit this bit. With abandon.

Hey Mac: It's not Miss Snark but one of the Snarkettes who was the first person way back when to have Miss Snark tear her into query.

I've been a poor commenter on your blog. Sorry. But I have read up to your trials getting the work release type papers that your school lost. I'm sure that's resolved by now :o) and I'll be over soon to see how!

Thanks for the suggestions on the edits! It definitely does need to be finessed.

Hah, Matt: Funny, but from that one edit (the pounding heart line), I have a good idea who the Secret Agent is. Pet editing peeves will always out you :o)

As far as not opening with the MC, your point is well-taken. I've had a couple of agents chide me for that, but then I've had a couple tell me they love the way I've set the mystery up through the first half of the book where the MCs play very little role.

I've been a poor commenter lately too. I'm trying to meet a deadline on my current WIP (one week from today) and it's taking all my time. The internet is a seductive force that draws you in with the promise of five more minutes only to hold you for an extra three hours, so I'm trying to limit the time I spend on it.

Phoenix,

I know what you mean. Sometimes we get caught up in all the formulas we learn from websites etc. that we forget the point is to tell a good story, and riveting ones often break the mold.

Phoenix Sullivan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.